Golf in the French Riviera
The Cote d'Azur has sold sunshine and glamour for a century, and the golf finally matches the setting. Terre Blanche is one of the finest resorts in France, Royal Mougins is a true championship test minutes from Cannes, and the Old Course at Mandelieu has welcomed crowned heads since 1891. Played between the coast and the hills, this is golf as a holiday in the grand European style.
Photo: Terre Blanche via Google.
Why golf here
The French Riviera was always going to be a golf destination once the courses caught up with the scenery, and the modern anchor is Terre Blanche, the two course resort that Dave Thomas laid out in the wooded hills near Tourrettes, inland from Cannes. The flagship Le Chateau course, a par 72 of about 7,235 yards, is regularly rated among the ten best in France, immaculate, dramatic and full of water, and the resort behind it is a genuine five star base.
Closer to the coast the golf turns historic. Royal Mougins, a Robert von Hagge design near the perched village of Mougins, is a tight, demanding par 71 that has hosted professional events and remains the most serious test on the coast. Down on the Siagne delta, the Old Course at Cannes-Mandelieu was founded in 1891 by the Grand Duke Michael of Russia and later altered by Harry Colt, a flat, characterful course among towering parasol pines where you still cross the river by ferry between holes. It is the oldest course on the Riviera.
The set is completed by two more names worth knowing: the venerable Monte-Carlo Golf Club, a Willie Park layout opened in 1911 at 900 metres on the heights of La Turbie with views over three countries, and Golf de Cannes-Mougins, a mature parkland club that staged European Tour golf for years. For the western end of the coast and the Provencal hinterland, see our hubs on golf in Provence and across France.
The courses that matter
| Rank | Course | Why it makes the trip |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Terre Blanche, Le Chateau | Dave Thomas, par 72 of about 7,235 yards. The best course on the Riviera and a top ten course in France: dramatic, beautifully conditioned resort golf full of water. About €180 in high season, 2026, indicative. |
| 2 | Royal Mougins | Robert von Hagge, par 71. A tight, serious championship test in a wooded valley near Cannes, with professional event pedigree. €95 to €165 by season, 2026, indicative. |
| 3 | Terre Blanche, Le Riou | Dave Thomas, about 6,567 yards. The resort's second course, more intimate and undulating, primarily for members and hotel guests and the better warm up round. |
| 4 | Monte-Carlo Golf Club | Willie Park, opened 1911, par 71. A historic mountain course at 900 metres above Monaco with views across France, Italy and the Mediterranean. A round for the setting as much as the golf. |
| 5 | Old Course Cannes-Mandelieu | Founded 1891 by the Grand Duke Michael of Russia, later altered by Harry Colt. The oldest course on the Riviera, flat and characterful among great parasol pines, with a river ferry between holes. From about €70 to €110, 2026, indicative. |
| 6 | Golf de Cannes-Mougins | A mature, well regarded parkland club that hosted European Tour golf for many years, handy to Cannes and an enjoyable, less demanding round to balance the trip. |
Designers, opening years and indicative 2026 green fees gathered from the clubs and their booking partners in June 2026. Rates move by season, day and demand; always confirm directly before booking. Check tee time availability.
When to go
| Months | What to expect |
|---|---|
| April to June | The best window. Warm, settled days, the hills green and the coast not yet full. The Chateau course at Terre Blanche is at its peak and June is ideal before the summer heat. |
| July and August | Hot and very busy along the coast as the Riviera fills. Inland courses such as Terre Blanche stay a little cooler. Play early, book tee times and tables well ahead. |
| September and October | The connoisseur's choice. Warm sea, settled weather, thinner crowds and excellent conditions. One of the most pleasant times to combine golf with the coast. |
| November to March | Mild and often sunny, with the courses open year round and the lowest green fees and resort rates. Cold, wet spells pass through, so it is a value rather than a peak season. |
What it costs
This is premium golf in a premium setting, but it spans a wide range. Indicative 2026 green fees run to about €180 for the Chateau course at Terre Blanche in high season, €95 to €165 at Royal Mougins depending on season, and from roughly €70 to €120 at the historic coastal clubs such as the Old Course at Mandelieu, Cannes-Mougins and Monte-Carlo. Shoulder season and resort packages bring those numbers down noticeably.
Accommodation is where the Riviera asks the real money. Expect from about €250 a night for good hotels in Cannes or Mougins and considerably more at the five star resorts and the marquee addresses in Monaco and along the coast, with Terre Blanche's own suites and villas at the top of the range. Stay and play packages at the resort are the smart way to manage the cost. All figures are indicative and you should always confirm directly before booking.
For the wider picture across the country, see our guide to green fees in France.
Getting there and around
Nice Cote d'Azur is one of the busiest airports in France, with direct flights from across Europe and a spectacular approach over the bay. From there, Cannes and Mougins are about 30 minutes west, the Old Course at Mandelieu a little beyond, Terre Blanche about 50 minutes inland near Tourrettes, and Monte-Carlo about 30 minutes east along the coast or the upper corniche.
Rent a car. The courses are spread between Saint-Tropez and Monaco and the drives, along the coast and up into the hills, are part of the pleasure. Traffic along the Riviera can be heavy in summer, so allow time and, for an evening in Monaco or Saint-Tropez, consider a driver.
Where to stay
For a golf focused trip the obvious choice is Terre Blanche itself, a five star resort with two courses, a spa and excellent restaurants set in the quiet hills, ideal for a few days of pure golf and relaxation away from the coastal bustle. It is the most complete golf base on the Riviera.
For glamour and atmosphere, base in Cannes or the hilltop village of Mougins, both within easy reach of the coastal courses and full of fine dining, and reserve a night or two in Monaco or out toward Saint-Tropez to round out the trip. Each end of the coast has its own character, so split the stay if time allows.
Looking for a base? See our recommended hotels and resorts on the French Riviera.
Build a French Riviera golf trip
A stay at Terre Blanche, a championship day at Royal Mougins, a historic round on the coast and the right table and beach time in between. Tell us roughly when and who is travelling and one concierge costs the whole thing to the head, with no obligation.
French Riviera golf questions
Is the French Riviera a good base for a golf trip?
Yes. Terre Blanche, Dave Thomas's two course resort in the hills above Cannes, is one of the best in France, von Hagge's Royal Mougins is a serious championship test minutes from Cannes, and the Old Course at Mandelieu has been played since 1891. Add the historic Monte-Carlo Golf Club, more than 300 days of sunshine and the glamour of the coast, and it is one of the most complete golf and lifestyle trips in Europe.
What does golf cost on the French Riviera?
Indicative 2026 green fees run from about €180 at Terre Blanche's Le Chateau course in high season, €95 to €165 at Royal Mougins by season, and from roughly €70 to €120 at the historic coastal clubs such as the Old Course at Mandelieu and Monte-Carlo. Resort and stay and play packages bring the headline numbers down. Always confirm directly before booking.
When is the best time to play golf on the French Riviera?
April to June and September to October are the sweet spot, warm, dry and outside the August crowds. The Riviera enjoys more than 300 days of sunshine and the courses stay open year round, so mild winter golf is realistic, while July and August are hot and busy along the coast.
How do I get to the French Riviera for golf?
Nice Cote d'Azur is the second busiest airport in France with direct flights from across Europe. Cannes and Mougins are about 30 minutes west, Terre Blanche about 50 minutes inland near Tourrettes, and Monte-Carlo about 30 minutes east. A rental car is the practical way to link the courses spread between Saint-Tropez and Monaco.
Related
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Researched and written by the GolfForKings editorial desk. Course designers, opening years and indicative green fees verified June 2026 against the clubs and their booking partners. Last reviewed June 2026.